Teams GERMANY | CHINA PR | SPAIN | SOUTH AFRICA
Key game Germany-Spain (12 June 2019, Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes) As the second group match for both teams, this duel could prove decisive. Unlike the Germans, Spain qualified for France 2019 without dropping a single point and were the first European team after the hosts to secure their place at the finals. La Roja's strong youth set-up - the U-20s reached the France 2018 final, the U-17s won Uruguay 2018 - underpins a world class senior side, meaning Martina Voss-Tecklenburg has every right to fear Jorge Vilda's outfit when the two European heavyweights meet in Valenciennes.
What you need to know
Germany are second behind the USA when it comes to the number of FIFA Women’s World Cups won (two compared to three), games played (39 to 43), games won (26 to 33) and goals scored (111 to 112). Nevertheless, Germany are the only nation ever to have lifted the trophy twice in a row.
South Africa have qualified for the first time, making them the sixth African side to compete at a Women’s World Cup.
China PR have qualified for every Women's World Cup bar one (2011), hosting the inaugural edition in 1991 and the 2007 finals. Despite this strong record in the women's game, they have only ever reached the final once - losing out to USA in 1999.
The stat 30 – Germany and China PR have met on 30 previous occasions. The two-time world champions from Europe have generally come out on top in these meetings, with 16 wins, six draws and eight defeats to their name. The two countries last faced each other at the 2016 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Rio de Janeiro, with Germany winning 1-0.